tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81083213118858978332024-03-19T05:34:01.020-06:00Matthew MillerMy personal record.Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-52754093723041410832015-09-15T01:28:00.001-06:002016-07-22T09:30:29.885-06:00Design problemsMy desk was custom designed and fit my workflow and aesthetic desires perfectly. However, it was designed with my old computer in mind. My new iMac sits too high on the shelf for comfort (and is too high for good ergonomics, too).<br />
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<br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-73498578269865070872013-08-28T14:00:00.000-06:002013-08-28T14:00:01.280-06:00Shopping FunLast weekend we took advantage of a bus to a nearby shopping mall, featuring a Carrefour. For Americans, the best analogy would be a Super Target or Super Walmart. This is the store that has departments for nearly anything you might want in your home, though each department has a pretty limited selection. We picked up several things we'd been wanting to make daily life easier.<br />
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We were wowed by their spice and bulk foods section, which was the most attractively designed that either of us had ever seen. And it was manned by very friendly young men who were more than helpful in suggesting what we might want and offering usage assistance on the mixed spices, like "Chicken Seasoning" (though it has a beautiful Arabic name I can't reproduce here). Lots of fun.<br />
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Then we made the delightful discovery that our favorite dessert from the other end of the continent, when we were in South Africa, was made here, too! Same stuff, just a different box. So we promptly bought a box and enjoyed triple-chocolate crunchy muesli for dessert that night.<br />
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Later that weekend our friends Bob and Susan took us to Road 9, a shopping district here in Ma'adi and the location of one of the two vendors of pork meat. We took the opportunity to stock up on bacon, which was cut fresh from a side, much like deli meat in the states. (Pork is shunned by Muslims, so stores selling it are scarce around here; only two in the whole city.)</div>
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<br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-31590005820663793992013-08-27T14:00:00.000-06:002013-08-27T14:00:00.814-06:00Everyone deliversWe're discovering that here in Egypt, there is a culture of delivery...meaning that nearly everyone delivers. The grocery stores, meat market, green grocer, and water vendors. The butcher, baker, restaurants, and even the pharmacy. But the pinnacle was when I saw this fellow on the street; when I saw this I knew I could ask <b>anyone</b> for delivery and almost always the answer would be yes.<br />
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<br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-30179848081135082882013-08-26T13:58:00.001-06:002013-08-26T13:58:16.850-06:00Out of our windowI am loving all the mature trees and shrubberies that abound in our neighborhood. Although our apartment only just this weekend got its first plant (first of many, in our plans), I've been enjoying the greenery just out our windows ever since we moved in.<br />
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Just down the street from our apartment is the neighborhood mosque. It's a rather unassuming building at street level, but the minaret that ascends above the trees is pretty.<br />
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And at night, the mosque is lit up with green neon, making another interesting view! :-)<br />
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Along with the view, we also get to listen to the melodious call to prayer several times a day, if we're quiet at the right moments. It lends a delightful, gentle, and distinctly islamic feel to our sleepy neighborhood.</div>
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<br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-29433872349137983292013-08-12T14:04:00.001-06:002013-08-12T14:04:49.249-06:00Saladin's CitadelFollowing our feluca ride, we were treated to a tour of the Citadel of Salah Al-Din, a famous Muslim general. He built a giant fortress in medieval Cairo, with a mosque inside of pure alabaster (white marble).<br />
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To begin with, we paid our entrance fee of 60LE (LE = Egyptian Pounds). At the current exchange rate of about 7LE/$1, that is about $8. Then we walked up a set of stairs over 1000 years old. The <b>stairs</b> are eight times older than my country! Mind-altering.<br />
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The mosque itself was rather dusty from the desert air, so it wasn't as blindingly white as in history. Our guide said that was deliberate <grin> to keep from causing airline pilots and cab drivers problems. After an admiring walk around part of the perimeter, we headed down a colonnaded walkway to the entrance, where we removed our shoes (in respect for the mosque; an islamic tenant).</grin><br />
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Inside the outer section is a beautiful fountain at which devout muslims will bathe their feet (up to the knee), face and neck, and hands (up to the elbow), before entering the mosque for prayer. As we were not there to pray, we were allowed to skip this step. Our group attracted quite a bit of attention from the many local school-children who were also touring the mosque. They were happy to ham in front of the camera and to talk to us to practice their very limited english.</div>
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Inside, there are 365 lams (used to be lit with scented oils, now electric) to symbolize the days of the year. The entire inside is carpeted and is not to be touched by the soles of any footwear.<br />
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In the front of the mosque is a stand (on the left) for the imam or sheik (the religious leader) to lead the faithful in prayer. Following that he ascends to a pulpit (on the right) to address them with a lecture.</div>
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After the mosque, we walked around a balcony overlooking Cairo and saw it stretch right to the visible horizon (which is admitted foreshortened by the smog). The young lads in the bottom center appear distorted solely due to the camera & the panoramic shot; they are perfectly healthy and normal looking in real life. :-)<br />
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<br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-68063731032956568002013-08-11T02:14:00.002-06:002013-08-12T13:34:38.648-06:00Sunset on the NileOne evening last week we were taken on a Feluca ride on the Nile. A Feluca is a traditional sailing craft on the Nile;<br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4SlSvHEkLQI/UgdHTlEFp-I/AAAAAAAAG1M/R3AZnD2rw2M/s320/2013-08-06+17.55.08.jpg" width="320" /> <span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">ours had a large table in the middle, around which we all sat and chatted while we ate a picnic dinner and watched the sun set. Truly delightful and relaxing.</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZOmJG6Pro4/UgdHBge9a5I/AAAAAAAAG08/XvAgW58ra1Y/s1600/2013-08-06+18.29.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZOmJG6Pro4/UgdHBge9a5I/AAAAAAAAG08/XvAgW58ra1Y/s320/2013-08-06+18.29.56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-2279523622761651072013-08-09T03:29:00.002-06:002013-08-09T03:29:52.010-06:00A tour of the schoolHere's a short visual tour of the campus here at Cairo American College. It's a pretty nice facility, right in the middle of a multi-year refurbishment plan. We began our tour walking past the middle school library<br />
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A bit later we passed the on-campus coffee shop (Juana may have trouble with her goal to stay off coffee with this temptation! Being in the opposite corner of the campus from the elementary building may make it easier to resist, though.<br />
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The center of the campus is a well manicured field for large events and sports. In the background you can see the elementary building peeking through the trees.<br />
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I'll spend most of my time in the high school building.<br />
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There's also a running track (elementary in the background again) and a swimming pool with a high dive. The boys have already tried out the pool extensively and report that it's lots of fun.<br />
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They haven't gotten to the playground yet, but it looks like we'll probably spend some time there before long.<br />
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<br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-59596476018338449082013-08-09T02:58:00.000-06:002013-08-09T02:58:09.367-06:00Safe in CairoArrived in Cairo safely, after several plane rides. We recommend Turkish Airlines, especially if you can get on their Comfort Class (price isn't much more than economy and the seats and room are substantially better). <br />
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In the Cairo airport we were met by CAC, who facilitated our entry visas, customs and immigration. It was the easiest foreign entry we've ever had, despite carrying the maximum amount of baggage. Happy day to arrive at our apartment and crash.<br />
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<span id="goog_586825068"></span><span id="goog_586825069"></span><br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-66298726642109885662013-02-22T22:06:00.001-07:002013-02-22T22:06:27.560-07:00An interesting vision of the future...As part of the research for a <a target="_blank" href="http://ceet.ca/moodle.html">CEET Meet</a> in which I am participating, I ran across <a target="_blank" href="http://epic2020.org/2012/05/01/hello-world/">this really intriguing site </a>with a vision of education and the change we are encountering right now, with semi-humerous, semi-scary implications for the future. Well worth viewing for anyone interested in or involved with education today.<br /><br /><br />- Matthew<br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-82931206044899998472012-10-10T10:55:00.001-06:002012-10-10T10:55:38.758-06:00A creepy visitorRecently, I was reading tips on how to take macro (close-up) photos with my iPhone. Then this fellow showed up and gave me a perfect opportunity to practice.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797725065737841490'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GkdmaRgvuZA/UHWoOsiuq1I/AAAAAAAAFzI/6_KcvqWFDMk/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797725141066648194'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HzInEE9PgyA/UHWoTFKhCoI/AAAAAAAAFzQ/26GmrE0Wi9Y/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797725197843671010'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J2LVaX7Rh5Q/UHWoWYrNp-I/AAAAAAAAFzY/lkhXZhXGHpk/s288/3.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797725279370952098'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9hbeTsih488/UHWobIY1PaI/AAAAAAAAFzg/KT_tJTnbaoY/s288/4.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797725386051296946'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RLakwbdTIyI/UHWohVzaHrI/AAAAAAAAFzo/EIxBMrghbmA/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-91189416120804317462012-10-10T10:21:00.001-06:002012-10-10T10:21:51.564-06:00Back on - sorry, swimming, and schoolI just realized it's been a month since I posted. I must have been collecting photos and composing posts in my head without actually posting them. Sorry!<br /><br />It's been warming up here, to the point that swimming is now a nearly daily activity. We started when it was bracing, but couldn't swim long due to lips turning blue. For the last week or so, it's been so nice we've spent an hour or more in at a time.<br /><br /><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797716351033076466'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kP7Vi7M-WA4/UHWgTbvM6vI/AAAAAAAAFyg/hIyWJyVwvOw/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' align='right' style='margin:5px'></a><br />At a recent party at a friend's, the boys were swimming when William performed a tricky twisting backward drop into the pool from a seated start...a bit too close to the edge. We took a quick trip to the local hospital/clinic for a couple stitches. <br /><br />It was our first real test of the medical system here and we were quite pleased. William was wiped out afterward, to nobody's surprise.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797716528250331394'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ErmYkThV9pQ/UHWgdv7FoQI/AAAAAAAAFyo/5WLo-YQahWU/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Later in the week (in fact, starting the next morning) he returned to his usual chipper self.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797716663988492050'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gFN_ftzijuA/UHWglplllxI/AAAAAAAAFyw/mzAIg0swMLM/s288/3.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We're looking forward to Thursday, when the stitches come out and he can get back in the pool.<br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-88095499913402065922012-10-09T22:39:00.001-06:002012-10-09T22:39:56.869-06:00Caves and drawingsThursday the Grade 6 students went to a series of small caves in which we viewed some cave drawings. The most amazing part, to me, was that there were no staff nor restraining fences etc at these national monuments; we could have walked right up and touched the walls if we'd wanted to. It speaks well of the responsibility of the population viewing these that they are still in good condition.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797535323979102738'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6uHIm_NyUkE/UHT7qRaNuhI/AAAAAAAAFxI/8fiR7uoZZN4/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797535389118296210'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zg4VeSkfZhM/UHT7uEEm8JI/AAAAAAAAFxQ/POO84_KJ7C4/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797535441042800930'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BhQn10gkZyY/UHT7xFgYASI/AAAAAAAAFxY/myze46NnrhQ/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797535512757131042'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hnwtWCSgHLE/UHT71QqZ1yI/AAAAAAAAFxg/S4QC5OUwovk/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797535578538978594'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UT6lLWIJ8qg/UHT75FuBLSI/AAAAAAAAFxo/7CBdgBMoulU/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Later, we had lunch near a small reservoir. Our leftovers were investigated by a baboon; the students had a bit of fun chasing him away before we calmed them down. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797535633914021218'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d1CB0Ba4hbg/UHT78UAdRWI/AAAAAAAAFxw/mt9MNQ8-8aw/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797535680736012642'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JaolOVfe8MY/UHT7_CbsKWI/AAAAAAAAFx4/jNk4R5hKXVw/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />And finally, we climbed to the top of a large basolith and had an amazing panoramic view. These hills are truly unique in my experience.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797535731454926546'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H0SLKHSIGYg/UHT8B_YBXtI/AAAAAAAAFyA/WRhHCRguNWk/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5797535783646880322'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-46CqYbPKEbM/UHT8FBzjYkI/AAAAAAAAFyI/jNTwgcyBhpQ/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Matthew<br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-39613269021319943622012-09-05T04:37:00.001-06:002012-09-05T04:37:48.491-06:00In the Matopos hillsWe arrived at the national park an we're greeted by a baboon, who promptly headed into the bush as soon as he heard out horde of 11- and 12-year-olds.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5784635235839490578'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-95S17fyGNwM/UEcnGUNruhI/AAAAAAAAFvM/QQJaF5jyorg/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5784635304848882386'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qEV8ChXOxV0/UEcnKVSzetI/AAAAAAAAFvU/DC9Ug9H89UU/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Then we drove another 20-25 minutes, first on one-lane paved and then on dirt roads, until we arrived at the lodges.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5784635416147951634'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Urz8sW-rAOY/UEcnQz6kgBI/AAAAAAAAFvc/PHfsF_TORtc/s288/3.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The lodges themselves are quite nice, with electricity, indoor plumbing, and fabulous catering by Chef Matthias and his crew.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5784635471836523042'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2vMObmKIWDQ/UEcnUDXwqiI/AAAAAAAAFvk/yxNEyZ8DDZQ/s288/4.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5784635519725991170'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NWeZxn8C048/UEcnW1xf9QI/AAAAAAAAFvs/VIbpFen8nd8/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The roofs are traditional construction and quite geometrically interesting.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5784639787286990818'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tC-44Onr5_8/UEcrPPrVD-I/AAAAAAAAFwA/nOe8gc5ZXQI/s288/6.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />But what interested the students most as we arrived hot off the busses was the large pool, created in a natural granite basin.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5784639934308820450'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_itUme3b96w/UEcrXzYEJeI/AAAAAAAAFwI/ujdt3ixsWc8/s288/7.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Matthew<br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-54279367657042293652012-09-05T02:20:00.001-06:002012-09-05T02:20:22.354-06:00A trip to MatoposToday I am on my way to Matopos National Park, near the southern city of Bulawayo. We have a bus with 14 boys, and another with 16 girls, from grade 6.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5784604455595520466'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ke-4iaASsmo/UEcLGq3psdI/AAAAAAAAFuo/rCwsYwxKAqI/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Matopos is about a 6 hour drive from the school, depending on traffic and how many police stops there are. Around lunchtime, we stopped briefly for bathroom breaks and a cool drink.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5784604532196294274'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8OTAktnzWTY/UEcLLIOsvoI/AAAAAAAAFuw/YWXkh-gnZX4/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Along the way the scenery was both familiar (sere grasses, dried by sun, with an occasional wildfire burn) and new (dotted not by sagebrush nor pine but by flat topped bushes/trees called thoi).<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5784604620054529570'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hVEHuqNAf2U/UEcLQPhvBiI/AAAAAAAAFu4/YocU2tsBlN8/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-24600242375775969862012-09-02T03:08:00.001-06:002012-09-02T03:08:57.377-06:00A...cow...giveaway?There are 3 main supermarket chains in Harare: Spar, TM, and Bon Marchè. <br /><br />Today we walked with a friend about 2 kilometers (a little over 1 mile) to what we call the "Gucci" Spar. It's bigger than any other in the area and has the largest selection of foreign goods. As you might expect from our nickname for it, it also tends to have the highest prices (though it also has deals, you just have to comparison shop).<br /><br />Our friend pointed out a display I was about to walk past: the milk company is giving away...cows!?! I read it twice before I really believed it. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5783503886664460930'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HyYZp2uMdws/UEMiJIG56oI/AAAAAAAAFuU/atRBT3N6Iuc/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Matthew<br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-71842153037283013932012-08-30T21:21:00.001-06:002012-08-30T21:25:36.554-06:00A good nightlightWe've been searching for a good nightlight for the boys' bedroom for a few weeks now. It's pretty dark here at night; although there are streetlights , the level of ambient light is much lower than in Boise.<br /><br />On my birthday, Juana took me out to a great dinner and we noticed a really beautiful lamp. Juana found a local shop that sells similar, but smaller, lamps and they also had low-wattage bulbs. Eureka! The boys now have a beautiful glowing cheetah to protect them from the dark. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/111851364597853930303/MatthewMiller02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeonJf52fGyRg#5782673245105571522'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dvgQ8Uy9ttk/UEAurbKsRsI/AAAAAAAAFuA/1fQ03vXWo2w/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-9388146535685144032012-08-22T10:10:00.001-06:002012-08-22T10:10:20.684-06:00BirthdayToday I got my birthday present, a fabulous countertop water filter/dispenser. Now I won't need to lug 5-liter jugs of filtered water home from school each day! (We prefer the filtered water, although our tap water is also quite drinkable.) Juana also gave me a small box of universal adhesive (along with a nice pair of round-tooits :-).<br />
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We had a small party with our staff and their families: Elizabeth, our housekeeper and nanny, her daughter Patience, and her grandchildren (Patience's children) Takudzwa and Tanai; Itai, our gardener, and MoreBlessing, his wife. The cake was pretty sugary (the kids loved it) and the ice cream was delicious.<br />
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It was a wonderful day!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IaPKhNu9JpA/UDUEWHyqr5I/AAAAAAAAFtg/aVhwkJgrGiw/s640/blogger-image--1380561788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IaPKhNu9JpA/UDUEWHyqr5I/AAAAAAAAFtg/aVhwkJgrGiw/s640/blogger-image--1380561788.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mkAKw-JANwQ/UDUEaMaWG4I/AAAAAAAAFto/48zBOlXQ3I0/s640/blogger-image--104270993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mkAKw-JANwQ/UDUEaMaWG4I/AAAAAAAAFto/48zBOlXQ3I0/s640/blogger-image--104270993.jpg" /></a></div>Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-3342342069733582452012-08-20T13:11:00.000-06:002012-08-20T13:13:20.241-06:00Blooming views <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Plants are starting to bloom, responding to the slowly warming days (here below the equator, the cool dry season is beginning to end). All around our property, beautiful blossoms and flowers are appearing...</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BBKJa7x9qvg/UDKMAzfAjiI/AAAAAAAAFs0/_UMKMqFo7JY/885D0A62-203D-4254-85AF-C0B2AA42A958.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iUd9-G_Zvus/UDKMJ3gVlHI/AAAAAAAAFtE/hlFrDvmUG2Y/7D5B880F-63F9-41AB-A475-765EC9146508.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-szCdQrU_rnM/UDKMElyLn_I/AAAAAAAAFs8/qxvgkntyt_c/E8AE9381-2CB0-4C1C-AC75-02222E8AFAD8.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3bNWQ1crtzU/UDKMSQwZ3uI/AAAAAAAAFtM/13E3yx50kyw/0DA69881-EF45-420F-8590-89CDC044A5A4.jpg'></div></p>Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-83919429833078068502012-08-19T11:20:00.000-06:002012-08-19T11:21:50.389-06:00Zesa (electric) <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Electricity here in Harare often goes by the name of the company that provides it, Zesa. As in "oh, blast, Zesa is out again," or "Papi, do we have Zesa?"<br><br>It's not unknown to have Zesa for an entire day, but it's rare. More often, electricity will be off for some portion of the day. Entire days without Zesa are also rare, fortunately. <br><br>We do have a generator for when Zesa is out. It's a big diesel beast, quite noisy, but invaluable when we loose power just before dinner, for example. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CI3MmgFzJAE/UDEgqAL0mTI/AAAAAAAAFsc/2EhNLZEKOkY/9FB7093A-19F4-45F3-89C5-5EFC0D7E1358.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>To run it, we just turn the key, just like starting a car. The there's a switch in our breaker box that toggles between Zesa and the generator. (In the middle, labeled Z/Off/G. There's also a switch that activates a buzzer, so we know when the power is back on and can shut off the noisy beast (lower right in the picture).</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TUpW4xdzcGk/UDEgkxzRVSI/AAAAAAAAFsU/eRhScH3pFB4/2EDB31CF-2B8D-47A1-AE43-25EE81B8DF2C.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>We're getting pretty used to this routine; even William isn't much phased when the power drops any more. <br><br>On Friday, Michael had a sleepover at a friend 's house, so Juana and I had a nice dinner out. William figured out how to make a fairly stable hat out of his bread, which I didn't even know was possible. The other couple in the restaurant were quite amused.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-P-j1T6BmjI0/UDEghQffjaI/AAAAAAAAFsM/YcpCb92FLBI/59F11D6A-2DBE-4906-B0F6-75BC24DE079D.jpg'></div></p>Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-11746055447478917682012-08-10T00:00:00.000-06:002012-08-10T00:00:23.068-06:00Walking around<div align="left" class="bloggerplus_text_section" style="clear: both;">
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Walking around our area of Harare is interesting. Almost everything below 2-3 feet is colored rust/orange, due to the dust. Sidewalks are very rare, but there are walking paths along almost every side of every road. Cars have no speed limit (so some go by pretty swiftly) but they seem (so far, at least) to be pretty considerate of pedestrians, and vice-versa. <br />
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My favorite part of the walk to school is the path just outside the school gates. There is a double-line of tall firs on either side of the gate, so the final bit before school feels like the Forbidden Forest from the Harry Potter stories. Fun! :-)<br />
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<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-64tH_3vEL1A/UCSiWsev3BI/AAAAAAAAFrw/x3l822BIZuM/9BB1CAA3-8CC0-4ED8-8DC3-307FE23F2410.jpg" /></div>Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-74580026068913774742012-08-05T13:47:00.000-06:002012-08-05T13:49:52.657-06:00Fun day with new staff <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Today the school took the new staff members to a local historical park called Dombashava. It's set around a giant rock outcropping in which historic cave paintings were discovered and are preserved. We hiked around, on and over, admired the cave and paintings, then headed back for lunch.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RUSjAd8fKBc/UB7OKqLjiYI/AAAAAAAAFrI/ynYqH7O4WYQ/0969A0BF-8AD9-4960-9F27-D9B854D1C307.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jYGkJ53eK8Y/UB7N_gdGrDI/AAAAAAAAFq4/KaGfWOER_gY/504FCD6D-85DA-4004-95D6-EB98E4941DFC.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Us70E6cl6w8/UB7OHNzuYdI/AAAAAAAAFrA/nPsHhQ6I4EM/12499365-43E4-4FE8-A2FD-0434584B407C.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CVB-lwuLseo/UB7OWv_dduI/AAAAAAAAFrg/AooD8Y3c1nA/2A8C658F-4312-40EE-81E7-C9C3E73DDAD3.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>For lunch, we were taken to a restaurant on a small game preserve. After a fantastic meal, we walked out to see kudu, impala, zebra and I don't know what all. Up close (at least, as close as the animals felt comfortable with, which was plenty close).</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8kKqPtfkYEs/UB7OOcJ04qI/AAAAAAAAFrQ/vwulRHWOaCg/D94A2DE1-EACA-4FCD-8AA4-A18FA63D17C8.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Eg9I4qurJds/UB7OR9fCysI/AAAAAAAAFrY/38Abd1D1rVI/6FF7971D-66B0-4B4A-BC3A-02966FA1CAD6.jpg'></div></p>Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-62212269681732303302012-08-05T13:35:00.000-06:002012-08-05T13:40:35.672-06:00A quickie tour of our house <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Here's a quick visual tour of our new digs:</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-waYkb17MBno/UB7L1Rn7eKI/AAAAAAAAFqY/JlSlVIcZMrQ/9F5F13AB-D85A-4637-87D1-C4F07FFAC43D.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-q7nCqrHhFTQ/UB7LjRymVyI/AAAAAAAAFqI/87kOS2fmikM/06FD1B46-4C26-44EE-BD7B-C85BA31ECEF9.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6bnl0Cv5y4U/UB7LMIb92dI/AAAAAAAAFpw/rwoxtcSLF8o/17D49BE0-233C-4222-B62E-4BC2E71E5C60.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1WoHpVSalko/UB7Ltwgu6nI/AAAAAAAAFqQ/oxd9V4UdrGQ/A63A53CB-1DFB-48C1-8741-14DA6AEAC6DB.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ovw3Qpes938/UB7LTEs8hxI/AAAAAAAAFp4/8RQywPmO5UA/64B86CEA-CE41-48F1-952E-81129C39021C.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6p1cNdVy9z0/UB7LancV6RI/AAAAAAAAFqA/39ZSC5GDqXs/560E4E25-2648-4B05-9CFD-A07E2A7BAD91.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8F4obsyg59M/UB7L7oG3ubI/AAAAAAAAFqg/PT9oz2ds7K0/48A34307-0425-4C30-949E-00BA9024670C.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8tOSIe_3dSo/UB7MEKEonGI/AAAAAAAAFqo/5bP0hoPQuWY/5298D18C-E336-4F7D-A18D-AD02A688C17F.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OO5jUVK6IKw/UB7MK9KJanI/AAAAAAAAFqw/ScxLNT3FELI/AAD71C22-68CF-4062-8900-11D788DCCBC4.jpg'></div></p>Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-17136885260073370342012-07-30T07:12:00.001-06:002012-07-30T07:12:46.024-06:00Washington <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>We've spent the last several days in Washington DC. The traditional stuff--White House, Treasury, Congress, etc--we either skipped as not interesting enough for our young audience, or were unable to get tickets to view. However, we spent a couple days touring some of the Smithsonian, specifically the Air and Space museum and the natural history museum.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eozNRszCU1Y/UBaIS2xgD5I/AAAAAAAAFpg/bH1Pq9cy8HU/8F6C27BC-1EFE-4CD5-ADFB-6D44E2B88EB0.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YuiF2vwSCmI/UBaIRV1flEI/AAAAAAAAFpY/tW6U8zjRvSo/D5CCD300-2521-4750-84C8-D4C7C5CD1AB6.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>It's been very humid, and hot enough to feel oppressive. On evening, while out for a walk and dinner, we chanced upon a plaza filled with parents and kids. We soon discovered that it was like the Grove fountain in Boise and both boys immediately took advantage of the opportunity to get a little wet (read: completely soaked).</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vW3csydoQFI/UBaIOLJuL6I/AAAAAAAAFpI/OspmttFy96U/6F75ADE0-6DE4-4787-9F9A-DB1FB5E25BC4.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u8c3ZXSAf84/UBaIMn20eRI/AAAAAAAAFpA/cSXQ26WYObo/24F3C144-F07D-424F-9AB2-3B7FE0410DD7.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Finally, we dropped by the Air and Space branch by the airport and gawped at fighter jets, ultralights, and the space shuttle Discovery.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-o84x_kkCoKY/UBaIP4LAdZI/AAAAAAAAFpQ/uU3QHjgj5GU/4AB13EF6-2C3A-48C6-AEFA-44CFA956D22E.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Unfortunately, we missed our flight because I translated time zones incorrectly. :-( Fortunately, the wonderful folks at <a href='http://www.ethiopianairlines.com' target='_self'>Ethiopian Airlines</a> helped us correct the problem and booked us on the next flight out, the next morning, as well as helping us find accommodations. It was about as pleasant a disaster as could be arranged, and not even too expensive. :-) So, we'll be flying out in about two hours, as I write this, and will be in Harare at our new home tomorrow by 2:00. </p>Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-72622894741875658732012-07-21T12:32:00.001-06:002012-07-21T12:32:33.234-06:00Hot days <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>The weather here in Nevada has been rather pleasant, for summer in this state. We've been treated to temps in the 80s and 90s mostly, only going well above 100 a couple times so far.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9WVAVTCv1Oo/UAr1vkjvcWI/AAAAAAAAFo0/CnCd9hAnko4/8E4D3D57-1711-4A9E-89EC-A2F38BDA7CE2.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Michael even spent a couple mornings practicing his golf stroke</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fB-kwxJeqic/UAr1t4Ngw1I/AAAAAAAAFok/_kf3nkwCLOo/75004F01-437D-485B-9D5B-AF566B096081.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X4gjNfrTOE4/UAr1s8RG0xI/AAAAAAAAFoc/_734TsM_piA/CCFAA437-8CA7-4B50-BB76-724276DA3658.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>It's still been hot by our standards, though, so the boys have been enjoying daily water fun, air conditioning (thank goodness), and ice cream treats. :-)</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5uH3I-ypkkc/UAr1um-UZ-I/AAAAAAAAFos/kqp8BfuQUN8/A55D3A46-BC69-4012-B23D-31C15ABF826F.jpg'></div></p>Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108321311885897833.post-63154081472421917962012-07-17T10:53:00.000-06:002012-07-17T19:35:48.994-06:00On vacation <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Our first stop on the vacation route was to spend a few days at YMCA camp. Michael went to a week-long kid's camp last year and liked it, but wanted to go to family camp this year. We had a blast! There was rock climbing, archery, riflery, s'mores, stories, singing, group games, rockets, bouldering, kayaking, swimming, and more. The boys were exhausted each night and eager to get going each morning. They were already talking about coming back next year as we left to come home. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gq2WpeFDDvc/UAXETQjhhUI/AAAAAAAAFoE/EQfzAQaolrA/B93E65FF-5739-426F-9F89-D55B5344D4C2.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zrKJm9P-94A/UAXEUxNNk0I/AAAAAAAAFoM/uF1GOKQbpzo/339EA2BB-781B-441C-8116-0E536C9CD295.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Then we spent a quick day with mom and dad, a last goodbye to Boise, and we were on our way. We stopped by the Twin Falls Miller's house to say goodbye to them (and were lucky enough to catch uncle Noah at a time when we could drop by his work for a quick hug and goodbye, too).<br></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Then we drove down to Moapa, just north of Las Vegas, to spend a couple weeks with aubuelito and abuelita. They were pleased to see us, especially the boys. Abuelito has already taken William out on the tractor to feed the cows; Michael is scheduled for his turn tomorrow. The desert has been hot, so they've spent quite a bit of time in the pool in the front yard, or down the road at the splash pad. Cool wet fun on a hot day!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6f5kMfgZkRc/UAXESsZzMXI/AAAAAAAAFn8/h9aXBs5Rbzk/9D0D5E7C-7B4B-45ED-A884-FB9321CEE210.jpg'></div></p>Matthew Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577321453741525218noreply@blogger.com0